Spice Board, Regional Office, Srinagar, in collaboration with Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, today organised a Training Program for Youth of Kishtwar associated with the Saffron Cultivation.
The day-long training programme was conducted here in the conference Hall DC office complex.The programme aimed to attract youth of Kishtwar towards Saffron cultivation and take up it as a business rather than mere cultivation and continue the legacy of saffron from the UT.
The Programme was steered by Ashutosh Gautam, Scientist and Officer Incharge, Spices Board, Srinagar. The event witnessed attendance of around 60 progressive Saffron farmers of Kishtwar district, besides Official and field functionaries from Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Deputy Commissioner, Dr Devansh Yadav; BDC Chairman Kishtwar Suresh Sharma; Scientist Spices Board, Prof F.A Nehavi; Chief Agriculture Officer, Amjed Hussain Malik were also present on the occasion.
During the training programme, Ashutosh Gautam, Scientist Spices Board, gave detailed insights about the Saffron cultivation scenario in the District besides sharing various technological interventions through PPT presentation for farmers present in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner urged the stakeholders to promote the scheme by capturing the saffron production for youth as a business opportunity because it has a lot of scope in the District.
The Deputy Commissioner exhorted the saffron cultivators to adopt newer techniques to grow saffron, one of the most expensive spices in the world. He reiterated that the farmers have to adapt to climate change, which has affected outdoor production.
Scientist Spices Board, Prof F.A Nehavi also threw light on the latest techniques for growing saffron and marketing trends.The CAO said that the goal of training was to help growers apply the special methods they have learnt during the programme and achieve good results in the future.
A large number of progressive saffron growers attended the special training and awareness programme, and they praised the organisers for the training.